All the hard work, sacrifice, blood, sweat and tears paid off last night in Navi Mumbai for India Women’s cricket team as they won the 2025 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup. This is India’s first ever World Cup victory in Women’s Cricket. The Indian team achieved this feat by defeating the South Africa Women (who were prolific throughout the tournament) by 52 runs. Shefai Verma was selected the “Player of the Match” for final thanks to her innings of 87 off 78 and a bowling spell of 2/36. Deepti Sharma was named “Player of the Tournament” for her all round performance throughout the event.
Earlier on Sunday the final started with a delay and the South African captain decided to bowl first. The decision seems good as Navi Mumbai experienced a little drizzle before the game. However, the Indian team responded brilliantly with the bat and Laura’s plan suddenly seemed illogical. Invited to bat first Indian openers Shefali Verma and Smriti Mandhana played extraordinarily putting up a 104 runs partnership for the first wicket.
From the very first over, India meant business. Shafali Verma punched Khaka through cover for four, while Mandhana’s elegant drives drew cheers from the crowd. Both openers looked in command — rotating strike and punishing anything short. Khaka and Kapp were expensive early on as India raced to 50 in just 6.3 overs, with extras adding to South Africa’s frustration. At the end of the first Powerplay, India were flying at 64/0, no wickets down — a dream start for Harmanpreet Kaur’s team.
Shafali began to shift gears. A pulled six over midwicket off de Klerk brought the crowd to its feet. Soon after, she reached her fifty off just 49 balls, laced with 5 fours and a six. Mandhana, the perfect foil, drove beautifully but perished for 45 off 58, trying to loft Tryon over mid-off — a well-judged catch by wicketkeeper Jafta ended the 104-run opening stand. At the halfway mark, India were 120/1 — Shafali and Jemimah Rodrigues looked set for a big one.
Shafali continued her dazzling touch, cracking Khaka through the off side and pulling Mlaba with authority. But on 87 (78), she finally mistimed a big hit and was caught by Luus — a huge moment for South Africa. Jemimah (24) followed soon after, and Harmanpreet Kaur walked in to consolidate. The skipper looked composed, hitting two crisp boundaries before falling to Mlaba for 20 (29). At 171/3 in 30 overs, India needed someone to anchor. Enter Deepti Sharma. Calm, watchful, and unflustered, she began building a measured innings, first with Harmanpreet, then with Amanjot Kaur.
The acceleration came right on cue. Deepti mixed deft singles with clean hits, reaching her fifty off 53 balls. At the other end, Richa Ghosh lit up the stadium — two towering sixes off Khaka and de Klerk — as India approached 300. Deepti was run out off the final ball for 58 (58), but her composed knock ensured India finished with a formidable 298/7. A disciplined batting effort — top-order consistency, middle-order maturity, and lower-order aggression — had given India the upper hand.
Target for South Africa: 299 runs in 50 overs
A daunting chase in a World Cup final, but their captain Laura Wolvaardt looked determined. Wolvaardt began fluently, driving Renuka Singh through covers and pulling Kranti Gaud confidently. With Tazmin Brits joining in, South Africa’s fifty came up in the 9th over. However, India hit back. A direct hit from Amanjot Kaur sent Brits (23) packing, and debutant Shree Charani trapped Anneke Bosch lbw for a duck. South Africa slipped to 62/2 after 12 overs.
Undeterred, Wolvaardt marched on, reaching her fifty off 45 balls with trademark elegance. Alongside Luus, she rebuilt the innings, adding 50 in 47 balls. But the introduction of Shafali Verma changed everything. Bowling with flight and guile, she first had Luus (25) caught-and-bowled, then dismissed Kapp (4) in her next over. South Africa, once 114/2, suddenly slipped to 123/4, and India’s spinners smelled blood.
Wolvaardt found an ally in Annerie Dercksen (35 off 37), and the duo added a quick 61, keeping South Africa’s hopes alive. But Deepti Sharma was saving her best for the big night. Bowling her trademark tight off-spin, she broke the stand by bowling Dercksen, then went on a wicket-taking spree — dismissing Jafta, Tryon, and de Klerk in a devastating spell. Wolvaardt, battling fatigue, finally fell for a magnificent 101 off 98 balls, caught by Amanjot Kaur off Deepti. With her departure at 220/7, South Africa’s chase effectively ended.
The lower order crumbled soon after — Khaka run out, de Klerk caught, and Mlaba stranded as Deepti finished with 5 for 39 — the best-ever figures by an Indian in a World Cup final.
The Moment of Glory (Over 45.3)
At 10:08 PM local time, Radha Yadav held her arms aloft as Deepti castled de Klerk — South Africa all out for 246.
Fireworks erupted, the Indian flag waved across the stands, and players rushed into a joyful huddle. India Women had finally done it — World Champions for the first time in ODI history.
Post-Match Scenes
Tears, hugs, and celebrations followed. Harmanpreet Kaur lifted the trophy as the crowd chanted “India! India!”
Shafali Verma was named Player of the Match for her all-round brilliance — 87 with the bat and 2 key wickets. Deepti Sharma, consistent throughout the tournament, was named Player of the Series for her all-round dominance.
Final Summary
India Women: 298/7 (Shafali 87, Deepti 58, Mandhana 45; Khaka 3/58)
South Africa Women: 246 (Wolvaardt 101; Deepti 5/39, Shafali 2/36)
India won by 52 runs
A night to remember
From Shafali’s fearless start to Deepti’s magical finish, India produced a perfect all-round performance under pressure.
On November 2, 2025 — under the lights of DY Patil Stadium — Indian women’s cricket reached its summit.
